Blog-Love

May 07, 2009

I made these last night as test batch for a Mother's Day present... I brought them into work to pass them around.

The girl in the office across from me rolled her chair back and moaned that they were the most amazing cookies ever in such a way as to be slightly obscene; my boss told me I had missed my calling as a baker; and the accountant told me they were the best cookies she'd ever had and then called her mom and told her about them.

So yeah - these are quite tasty. :o) Thanks for the recipe! It's delicious.

Thanks, Melissa! Judging by the reaction of the girl in the office across the hall from you, I guess I named these cookies correctly. ;^)

These were delicious! I made them twice last week (don't worry I shared). The second time, I didn't have quite enough PB chips, so I added some chocolate chips as well. I think I liked the PB only version best, but the second batch was a nice variation.

Anyway just wanted to say thank you. You are so inventive!

Hi, Jayna! Thanks for writing in. Wow...you must have really liked these guys to have made them twice in one week. Your use of some chocolate chips was a great idea. I might have to try that next time. :-)

April 29, 2009

Longtime readers know Laura and Chris by now. They're our neighbors and resident real-life cookie tasters. We give them a baggie of fresh-from-the-oven cookies every Sunday to sample. Here's what Laura had to say about my XXX Strawberry Cookies:

I'm sick of contradicting myself and saying, those were the best cookies, oh no, these are the best cookies, etc, etc each time we get a new batch from you. But honestly Greg, these XXX Strawberry Cookies are ridiculously delicious. The best? Yes. But then if I ate the Apple Jack ones again, or the Orange in the Coconut or the Blueberry Muffin Top or the award winning Cranberry Crunch Cookies again, they would each make me say, "oh no, THESE are the most delicious cookies I have ever tasted!" So we will just say you make everything equally delicious. That is fair right? This is what Chris said, "oh, you've got to be kidding me. how does he do this?" And I tasted mine and was like "OMG, these are unbelievable." So as usual, once again I am telling you these are the most amazingly delicious cookies I have ever tasted but you've heard that before so how can you believe me anymore. :~) So I will just end by thanking you as usual...

Thanks, Laura and Chris! If you liked these, just wait for the variation Jon came up with. Here's a hint...there's chocolate in it.

April 16, 2009

DLPK, a reader, real-life recipe user, and fellow food blogger, wrote in to say she tried my Cranberry Crunch Cookies. (Have I mentioned this is an award-winning recipe? Of course I have...like a thousand times already! But I can't help but reiterating it. ☺) Here's what DPLK had to say:

Hi Oatmeal Cookie Guy! I found your blog recently and have to say it is hands down one of my favorite blogs. Your recipes are awesome. I made the Cranberry Crunch Cookies yesterday and they smelled and tasted so delicious. I'm feeding a crowd with them today, I am sure there will be more rave reviews to come =)

I probably didn't do your cookies justice since I decided to "revive" dried out brown sugar with old-fashioned water and the palms of my hands rather than the handy piece of fruit in a bag or microwave tricks (should have internet searched that one, oops). So it was a little wet, but I chilled the dough and increased the cooking time a bit, and they still came out with the sugar crunch on the outside and chewy soft insides.

Thanks for being a baking inspiration--I'll definitely be testing more of your recipes in the future!

Thanks, DLPK! I'm so glad you liked these. I can't wait to hear how other cookies come out for you. I've tried the microwave trick to soften rock-hard brown sugar. It'll work in a pinch. :-)

April 14, 2009

Em, a reader and real-life recipe user, wrote in to sing the praises of my Mocha Mint Cookies. Here's what she had to say:

Oh. My. God.

These are amazing. And I've only tasted the dough.
Instead of using Junior Mints, I used what I had on hand (ground up coffee beans into my own version of espresso powder, Andes Creme De Menthe Baking Chips, and cappuccino chips I found at World Market).

Amazing.

My favorite, by far.

Then this the next day:

and after eating the very vast majority of them, I am reminded why I don't bake your cookies as often. Because I eat them all.

Thanks for the feedback, Em! And great use of what you had on hand. I love that you love this recipe. It's been a while since I've made these, and I notice that I haven't done a Picturing post for them yet. I think I have some homework in my future.

April 09, 2009

Carol, a reader, real-life recipe user, and fellow blogger, wrote in recently to review some of my recipes. I was expecting some blog-love, but this praise made my day month!

This reminds me that I am sadly remiss in letting you know about your cookies I have made! So here are my reviews, all in one place:

Cranberry Crunch Cookies - you know about these :-) I made them three or four times and they are one of my favorite cookies ever. And they don't even have chocolate chips, which makes that even more amazing. Love love love these.

I won first place in the 2008 Cranberry Harvest Celebration recipe contest with these cookies. (My first award-winning recipe!) When I found out I won, I was afraid that I had been the only one to enter a recipe, but feedback like yours sets my mind at ease. I love the chewy/crunchy and sweet/tart contrasts.

Boston Cream Pie Cookies - one of my favorite desserts. I ended up putting more pudding in the filling than called for, because I love pudding so much, which somewhat changed the size and technique for me. The cookies were delicious, though I did find they were best the first day - after that, the filling got kind of gummy.

I love these cookies. I think the best thing about them is that making them is just as fun as eating them. These didn't last more then ten minutes when I left them in my office kitchen. And that's a good thing because I think Jon and I would have polished off the whole batch ourselves.

Coffee Cake Cookies - another of my favorite things. I ordered the cinnamon and espresso chips from KA just so I could make these, and it was worth it. Oh so good! When I took my first bite, I thought - how on earth did Greg come up with this? The texture and flavor really is just like the top of a coffee cake! And that whiff of coffee - almost not even a taste, but the aroma of a cup of fresh, hot coffee alongside the cookie, or maybe the lingering aftertaste of it in your mouth. Brilliant!

I knew exactly how to put this recipe together as soon as I had my first taste of King Arthur's cinnamon chips. This recipe is one of my favorites. One nibble transports me back to when I was a kid and had Drake's Coffee Cakes at lunch.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies - the classic. I even went the extra mile and kept them in the fridge overnight (minus just a few dollops of dough :-)) Yummy and great texture. These are what I sent to Iraq for my Baking Gals contribution, and made enough so that I plenty left over to share and eat here.

Ha! I'm really glad you tried the resting trick. It does make a difference...if you can resist eating too much of the dough. I think I might make these for my contribution to Baking GALS Round 7.

Thanks again and as always for your fun site and great recipes! I'm sure I'll be trying more soon.

Thanks so much, Carol! My cheeks still hurt from smiling, and I can't wait to hear how my other recipes turn out. :-)

Over here in the UK we have an annual charity event called Comic Relief, which has a "Red Nose" theme. Well, most of us here in the office got involved in some way or another. My contribution was to bake a set of the Stuffed Red Velvet cookies and sell them for cash (the red link being key here!). They were all very well received so you've done your bit to raise some money for charity in the UK! I tweaked the recipe a bit--swapped a 1/4 cup of oatmeal for some coconut.”

Thanks, Tony! I'm really glad you put my recipe to good use raising money for charity. And adding coconut to the recipe was a brilliant idea. Mumma would totally be on board with that!

March 14, 2009

I just have to tell you that my mom and I made these for her knitting group last night and everybody (from elderly church ladies to my fussy brother) loved them. I passed along your blog to a bunch of people. I'll let you know when we get adventurous enough to try another kind.”

Hey, Amanda. Thanks for writing in! I'm so glad you, your mom, her knitting group, and your fussy brother liked these cookies. They are pretty good...wicked good in fact. Keep up the baking! And please do let me know how your future cookies turn out.

I decided that this cookie deserves more than a little thank you prayer (something along the lines of: thank you oatmeal cookie guy for this EXCELLENT cookie).

I've made them twice now and my sisters and I LOVE them. (Just a little background info: my sisters (aged 28, 18, 15 and 13) HATE oatmeal cookies AND I have an extreme aversion for the whole fruit-cookie combination.) So this is an oatmeal cookie miracle.

Thank you very much for this recipe.

Much love and thanks from very far away (Singapore to be exact), Shikin

Hi, Shikin. Thanks so much! I'm really happy your sisters and you loved these and that I've won you all over to oatmeal (and fruit) cookies. These are really good! :-)

March 04, 2009

“For Cookie Monday I made these last night (3rd time I've made them) and they continue to be one of my favs. SOOOO good. I added some coconut flakes to a few at the end for my coconut obsessed roommate and those were quite tasty too! Anyway, these make me feel so healthy, since they're chock full of oatmeal and cranberries--I feel like I'm eating a granola bar! Haha. I keep telling myself that so that I don't feel bad eating theme all.”

Thanks, Em! Adding coconut is a great twist. I know Mumma would be into that. She loves anything with coconut in it. And when you really think about it, these cookies are (probably) healthy for you. They're loaded with oats and fruit, and there aren't any eggs. I call that health food!

I'm so glad to know that others are doing Cookie Monday. What the world needs now is cookies, sweet cookies.

March 03, 2009

“Thank you so much for giving us something to look forward to on Monday. I really enjoy your unique baking style. Who would have thought that orange and mint would work in a cookie? Not me, but they are brilliant.”

Speaking of which...everybody could use some extra cheer these days, so why not spread the joy with some bring-in-ables for your coworkers? I know from experience that cookies travel well through interoffice mail. Give it a try!

February 24, 2009

Regular readers are probably familiar with the Oatmeal CookieBlog's cast of characters. I'm happy to say that Laura and Chris--real-life readers and cookie tasters--are among my favorites. Every Sunday night, Jon brings baggies full of cookies downstairs to our doorman, Jason. One baggie is for Jason, and the other one is for Laura and Chris. It's a very smooth hand-off procedure. This week, however, Jason buzzed us to say that the baggie of Apple Jack Cookies for Laura and Chris apparently "exploded" (i.e., he ate them before he could deliver them), and he wanted to know if we still had any left. With a recipe that yields like 5 dozen scrumptious cookies, we were well equipped to re-up. And, as always, Laura's email had me smiling and blushing:

“Jason just gave these to us. Greg, these are the most amazing cookies I have ever tasted. These are the words that Chris used when he just ate one. 'Outrageous, ridiculously delicious, amazing.' I honestly don't think those do these cookies justice. I don't think any words would do these justice. These are the best cookies in the whole world except for well a bunch of your other cookies, which shall remain nameless right now because I don't want to make some of your other cookies jealous. :~) Your cookies are better than any gourmet cookies I have ever tried and believe me I have tried a whole lot of them. Any new brands I stumble upon or any shops that I'm in that have good looking sweets, especially cookies I do not hesitate to buy them. I'm one of the people who answered the question with no amount is too much to spend for a delicious cookie. Well no amount of money can buy a generous and genius cookie man as a neighbor. That my friend is pure good luck.”

February 17, 2009

No, I'm not quoting myself. Those are Olga's words. She's a new reader and real-life cookie taster. And I couldn't agree with her more. Here's what she had to say about my Spicy Valentine's Heart Cookies:

“For as long as you’ve been bringing in your brilliant and delicious cookie creations, I’ve only been able to imagine what they must have tasted like based on the crumbs left behind and the description on the post-it by the empty plate where the cookies used to be. But today, I actually made it to the kitchen on time!! And I’m very glad I did. The chocolate red-hot heart cookies are fantastic. Which leads me to conclude, as stated above, that you are a genius. Thank you for brightening my Monday.”

Thanks, Olga! So glad you liked them. :-) I've brought cookies in to my new office only a handful of times so far, but I think I'll have to start splitting batches with Jon and his coworkers again. It's the return of Cookie Mondays and bring-in-ables!

“Thanks for all your great recipes and hints. The recipe I posted is the most 'my own invention' I think I have ever done, so that is exciting for me! And people liked them, yea! I definitely owe you for the basis of the batter I created, and helping me say 'sure, I can make up my own cookie!'”

February 03, 2009

I made a batch of my tried-and-true, oldie-but-goodie Florida Cookies on Sunday. I know, I know. I've got quite a few recipes on The List to get to. But Pam and In-Young were visiting on Sunday, and this is one of In-Young's favorite cookies.

Turns out this is also a favorite of Laura and Chris, who--if you don't know by now--are neighbors, readers, and real-life cookie tasters:

“Okay, so if I ever retire and move to Florida will you come with me and make me Florida Cookies? How about if I beg and plead? Hmmmm? PLEEEEEEEEEEASE?????????? I have a lot of pride but am completely shameless when it comes to these cookies. Was not home last night, and then came home at the exact moment when Chris was crossing from the living room into the kitchen with that familiar baggie in his hand with what appeared to be a cookie with some type of icing. 'Oooooh, wow, that looks good. Good?' He smiles, 'very good.' Greg, I love these! They are so orangey, delicious, amazing. So as always, thank you so much. Are you sick of all these gushy compliments?”

Thanks, Laura and Chris! And no, I will never get sick of all your gushy comments. :-)

January 23, 2009

You've probably noticed a new "badge" under the Braggin' heading on the left. That's because I recently wrote an article on improvisational baking for the food section at Betty Confidential, a new online magazine. That article combines some info, recipes, and photos I've already posted on this blog. (Let's hear it for leveraging content across platforms!)

January 19, 2009

Last night, Jon dropped off some of my Coconut Rum Raisinet Cookie with Laura and Chris, our neighbors and real-life cookie tasters. It looks like I've got another winner on my hands. Here's what Laura had to say:

“Okay, that's it. The Coconut Rum Raisinet Cookie is the most delicious cookie I have ever tasted! As I've said, I love coconut, so that helps of course, but honestly I have never tasted anything like this. Greg you are a cookie genius, and this is one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted. I'm on the phone and Chris comes into the bedroom and holds up a cookie and mouths 'Oh My God' at me. So when I come out he says, 'This is the most friggin' fantastic cookie I have ever tasted! You are going to die.' He says taste the other coconut one. I taste it and honestly, it was the 'most friggin' fantastic cookie I have ever tasted.' Then he says he thinks coconut should be put in everything. Of course I agree.”

January 14, 2009

Chelseathebaker, a reader and real-life recipe user, made my XXX Cranberry Cookies for Christmas this year and had this to say:

“I made these (and your Eggnog Cookies) for my family Christmas this year. Boy, these went SUPER fast! I love the tartness of the cranberries combined with the sweetness of the sugar coating and white chocolate chips. Trust me, these will be put in my 'regular' rotation. My test is if the dough tastes good, the cookie sure will. So far I've made three of your recipes and haven't been more pleased. I can't wait to try more, AND get inspired by your really inventful recipes. Keep 'em comin'!”

Thanks so much, Chelsea! I have to admit that the XXX Cranberry Cookies are one of my favorites. I'm glad they're one of yours too. :-)

January 09, 2009

Jon dropped off some Stuffed Red Velvet Cookies for Laura and Chris, our neighbors, readers, and real-life cookie tasters. Here's what they had to say:

“I was just going to thank you as usual and say that the Stuffed Red Velvet Cookie was really good. Well this is what Chris (who usually says almost nothing but silently appreciates these cookies) said when he had his SRVC, ‘this is phenomenal!’ ‘wow, crunchy and chewy at the same time’ ‘wow, ummmmmm, wow!’ I almost felt guilty eating the other one!!!!! Almost. So as always, thank you so much for the ‘phenomenal’ cookies!”

“Man, these are good. I just made them again, this time with the slivered almonds. I took a plateful into my hair salon, and the stylists were literally fighting over them. Too funny! In other words, they were a big hit. Thanks again for creating a new favorite recipe!”

“Wow are these delicious! I happen to love mint and chocolate so there was a great likelihood that I would like them and yummmmm, they are great. Chris, who claims he does not like mint and chocolate, actually grabbed the one I was eating out of my hand and shoved it in his mouth. 'I thought you don't like mint and chocolate?' He shrugged his shoulders, smiled and walked away. Unbelievable. Anyway I think they are excellent, they are not only delicious they are really pretty too! :~) And I think the blue ones are wintergreen right? I never knew they had wintergreen mints like that. So cool. They are the best of peppermint bark attached to a delicious cookie. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Thanks, Laura and Chris! This recipe is definitely a keeper, one that I'm sure I'll be using a lot during this and future holidays.

December 16, 2008

“I made these 2 times over the last 4 days! They are freaking AWESOME. I brought them into work and got some very good reviews. I will be making them a third time to be used as Christmas gifts for some of my co-workers. I have some of your recipes bookmarked to try. Those Boston Cream Cookies are calling my name!”

Thanks, JaySpice! These are among my most popular cookies. (Pat on the back time: This is an award-winning recipe.) I hope you like my Boston Cream Pie Cookies just as much! :-)